News

Five high-profile underworld figures, including ‘Kehelbaddara Padme’, who were arrested in Indonesia, are scheduled to be brought back to the island this afternoon (30), said police.

A special police team from Sri Lanka was dispatched to Indonesia to facilitate their return. The team has reportedly taken the criminal gang members into custody and is now bringing them back to the island.

Former Director of the National Lottery Board, Thusitha Halloluwa, has been ordered to be remanded until September 4 by Colombo Additional Magistrate Lahiru Silva. The order was issued today during a hearing related to the May 17 shooting incident involving Halloluwa’s vehicle.

According to the Colombo Crimes Division, the suspect was arrested under a court-issued warrant after allegedly evading the investigation.

Authorities informed the court that Halloluwa was named as the 11th suspect in the case due to conflicting statements made regarding the incident.

Investigators further alleged that the suspect may have orchestrated the incident with the intent of discrediting the current government and the President, adding that inquiries are still ongoing.

Former State Minister Shasheendra Rajapaksa has been remanded until 12 September in connection with corruption and misuse of state property.

The Colombo Magistrate’s Court ordered the extension after he was produced before the court today (29).

Rajapaksa was arrested by the Bribery Commission on 6 August over allegations of illegally constructing a farm building on land owned by the Sri Lanka Mahaweli Authority near the Kiribbanwewa reservoir in Sevanagala.

The building, destroyed during the 9 May 2022 ‘Aragalaya’ protests, was later confirmed to be on Mahaweli Authority land.

He is accused of misusing his authority to pressure officials into approving the reconstruction, leading to charges of corruption, conspiracy, and illegal occupation of state property.

The Inland Revenue Department has relocated its tax crime investigation unit to the 10th floor of the Department building in a move aimed at expanding operations.

Present at its formal relocation were commissioner general of inland revenue Rukdevi Fernando, senior officials and IMF resident tax administration advisor Gregory Topping.

The primary mandate of the unit is to investigate and initiate criminal proceedings on tax-related offenses under Chapter XVIII of the Inland Revenue Act, No. 24 of 2017.

Offenses under its scope include deliberate tax evasion, obstructing tax administration, aiding in criminal activities, and other unlawful practices.

Prosecution will be carried out by the Attorney General’s Department in coordination with the Attorney General’s Department, Bribery Commission, Central Bank, CID, Customs and the Excise Department.

Several legal proceedings have already been initiated, and further expansion of the unit’s activities is planned in the future, Fernando said.

A new commemorative Rs. 2000 banknote was presented to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake today to mark the 75th Anniversary of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL).

The commemorative note was handed over to the President by the Governor of the Central Bank, Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe, at the Presidential Secretariat this morning.

This is the fifth commemorative currency note released by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka.

Reflecting the Bank’s unwavering commitment to strengthening economic stability as the foundation for national development, the note has been issued under the anniversary theme “Stability for Prosperity.”

On this occasion, the President also engaged in cordial discussions with officials of the Central Bank.

Participating in the event were Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Senior Deputy Governor of the Central Bank Mrs. K. M. A. N. Daulagala, Assistant Governor K. G. P. Sirikumara and Superintendent – Currency Department P. D. R. Dayananda.

Venerable Narampanave Ananda Thero has been appointed as the new Anunayake of the Asgiriya Chapter of the Siyam Sect.

The appointment was made following a decision taken earlier today (28) by the Executive Sangha Council, led by the Mahanayake of the Asgiriya Chapter.

This position became vacant after the recent passing of Venerable Anamaduwe Dhammdassi Thero, who previously held the post.

Alongside Venerable Narampanave Ananda Thero, Venerable Urulewatte Dhamma Rakshitha Thero, Chief Incumbent of the Mahiyanganaya Rajamaha Viharaya, was also nominated for the role.

The Asgiriya Chapter maintains two Anunayake positions.

The other position is currently held by Venerable Wedaruwe Upali Thero, Chief Incumbent of the Polonnaruwa Solosmasthana.

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who was receiving treatment at the National Hospital of Sri Lanka, was discharged from the hospital this evening.

This was after receiving treatment at the National Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit for 06 days.

Despite being discharged from the hospital, the former President’s media unit says that Ranil Wickremesinghe will continue to rest at home as per the medical instructions given.

Ranil Wickremesinghe was admitted to the National Hospital last Saturday due to dehydration.

Later, the doctors recommended that he be admitted to the Intensive Care Unit

Former Sri Lanka Navy Commander Nishantha Ulugetenne has been further remanded until September 10, following his appearance before the Polgahawela Magistrate’s Court today.

Ulugetenne, who was already in remand custody, was arrested on August 28 by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in connection with an investigation into the abduction and alleged murder of a person in the Pothuhera area.

At the time of the alleged incident in 2010, Ulugetenne served as the head of Naval Intelligence. According to police, the illegal detention center where the abducted individual was reportedly held operated under his command.

Investigations were launched after a letter, allegedly sent by the abducted individual from the detention center, surfaced.

Several other suspects have already been arrested in connection with the case.

Former Member of Parliament Venerable Athuraliye Rathana Thero was remanded until the 12th of September by the Nugegoda Magistrate’s Court.

The order was made when a case filed by the Colombo Crimes Division was taken up for hearing today.

Venerable Rathana Thero, who secured a National List seat in Parliament through the Ape Jana Bala Party at the 2020 General Election, is accused of kidnapping and detaining the party’s General Secretary, Venerable Vedinigama Wimalathissa Thero, in an attempt to claim the seat through undue pressure.

Speaker of the Parliament of Sri Lanka, Jagath Wickramaratne, endorsed the certification on the Samurdhi (Amendment) Bill and the Rubber Control (Amendment) Bill in accordance with Article 79 of the Constitution recently (22).

The Bill to amend the Samurdhi Act, No. 1 of 2013, presented to Parliament on 17th June 2025 by the Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment, provides for the strengthening of financial accountability within financial institutions and the improvement of financial supervision of such institutions.

Furthermore, by assigning to the National Audit Office the responsibility to audit the accounts of Samurdhi community-based banks and Samurdhi community-based banking societies, this Amendment ensures compliance with the prevailing statutory and national auditing procedures while strengthening accountability within financial institutions.

Meanwhile, the Rubber Control (Amendment) Bill, which seeks to amend the Rubber Control Act, No. 11 of 1956, replaces the designations “Controller” and “Rubber Controller” with the title “Director-General,” thereby providing for the control of the rubber development sector under the office of a Director-General.

Accordingly, these two Bills shall come into operation as the Samurdhi (Amendment) Act, No. 15 of 2025 and the Rubber Control (Amendment) Act, No. 16 of 2025.

The Government of Sri Lanka has released photos of the underworld figures that were arrested in Indonesia yesterday.

The wanted suspects were arrested during a joint operation conducted by a team of Criminal Investigations Department (CID) officials and the Jakarta Police.

According to the government, the arrested underworld figures are Kehelbaddara Padme, Commando Salinda, Backhoe Saman, Panadura Nilanga, and Thembili Lahiru.

Addressing the media today, Minister of Public Security Ananda Wijepala said that discussions are underway with the Indonesian authorities to repatriate the suspects to Sri Lanka.

He further said that legal action will be initiated against the arrested group upon their repatriation to Sri Lanka.

The Fort Magistrate's Court has ordered the release on bail of former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon, who was arrested and remanded for failing to take action to prevent the attack on peaceful protesters at Galle Face on May 9, 2022.

The order was issued by Colombo Chief Magistrate Nilupuli Lankapura when the case was heard today.

The Magistrate ordered the release of Deshabandu Tennakoon on two surety bails of Rs. 1 million each.

He was also issued an overseas travel ban.

Former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon was remanded until August 27 by the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court in connection with the violent crackdown on peaceful protesters at Galle Face Green on May 9, 2022.